Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up OpenCL for NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel GPUs on Debian Bookworm 12
How to install OpenCL drivers for NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel GPUs on Debian Bookworm 12 GNU/Linux — a clear, step-by-step desktop tutorial.
Key features and benefits of this guide in one line: cross-GPU support, easy installation, and reliable GPU acceleration.
Unlock GPU acceleration on Linux with OpenCL to run parallel computing tasks faster — from machine learning to video rendering.
- Cross-GPU Support — Compatible with NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel GPUs.
- GPU Acceleration — Boosts performance for compute workloads and applications.
- Debian Compatibility — Tailored for Debian Bookworm 12.
- Easy Installation — Step-by-step commands and verification.
- OpenCL Standards — Uses the standard ICD loader and headers.
- Getting-Started — Includes a short programming starter to test your setup.

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1. Update the Debian Bookworm System
Update package lists and upgrade installed packages to ensure a current system state.
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y
If a new kernel is installed, reboot:
sudo reboot
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2. Install the OpenCL ICD Loader and Headers
Install the generic OpenCL ICD loader, development headers, and clinfo for verification.
sudo apt install -y ocl-icd-libopencl1
sudo apt install -y ocl-icd-opencl-dev opencl-headers clinfo
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